Wrist and Hand Pain

Wrist and Hand Pain

Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The exact cause of CTS is not always easy to identify, but many factors can play a role. A family history of CTS makes it more likely that you will develop the condition. Repetitive work, such as a job on an assembly line, is known to increase the risk of CTS. Wrist injuries can also cause carpal tunnel. Other contributing factors are not as obvious, such as pregnancy, menopause, and dialysis.

Symptoms and Progression of Carpal Tunnel

The first signs of carpal tunnel often include pins and needles in the wrist, hands, and fingers. You may notice some numbness from time to time, especially after using the wrist in a way that causes compression-like performing a task over and over at work.

Over time, the symptoms can become more severe. Eventually, carpal tunnel can lead to a loss of coordination with the thumb, then other digits. Pain may not be significant at first but tends to get worse, and the condition progresses.

Chiropractic Can Help

Standard medical treatments for carpal tunnel include using anti-inflammatory drugs, refraining from using the wrist/hand, wearing a splint, and eventually surgery. While these treatments can sometimes be effective, the risks associated with surgery are significant. Carpal tunnel surgery may or may not fix the problem, and as with any surgery, it can sometimes cause more issues than it helps.

Protect Your Body

Chiropractic care offers a safe alternative to standard medical care, which is non-invasive and minimizes the need for medications and their potential side effects. Chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel can help to reduce inflammation and minimize pain. But chiropractic goes further than just treating the symptoms—it can also help you avoid aggravating the condition so that it can heal.

Chiropractors are trained in proper movement and ergonomics. Your chiropractor can help you understand what you are doing that is causing the carpal tunnel to begin with. They can also advise you on ways to adjust your movements to protect your wrists moving forward. You may learn new ways of doing things that will allow you to achieve your goals without risking injury.